Bound Brook mayor resigns two years early, cites family and work

BOUND BROOK — The borough mayor has turned in his resignation a full two years before the end of his current term, citing a new job, his family, as well as concern about his role when the council shifts from Republican to Democratic control in January.

Pilato told NJ.com by telephone Monday that besides wanting to be able to spend more time with his family and to concentrate on his new appointment to a vice presidential position at a major public relations firm, he recently encountered a situation that caused him to step back and rethink his place in the town.

In November, voters elected two Democrats, Beverly Pranzatelli and Peter Lazzaro, to the borough council, giving their party a 4-2 majority on council.

With the borough council balance of power shifting from the Republicans to the Democrats as of January, a major developer who was scheduled to appear before the council with a redevelopment proposal failed to show at the meeting with no notice, he said.

Pilato said he became concerned that the developer feared showing a proposal to a Republican council and then then having to win approval from a Democratic council after January.

"If I become the bane of someone's existence and am used to score points, that's not good for the town," Pilato said.

He said he also gave thought to his children, now nearing their teenage years, who he said will need his attention more than ever.

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The process for replacing Pilato as mayor is the same as it is for replacing council members. The Republican municipal chairman must submit three names for consideration of the council, and the council will then have 15 days to make a choice to serve as mayor until the next general election, when the mayor will face a Democratic challenger.

The Bound Brook Democratic organization and the Bound Brook Republican organization did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Pilato has been mayor during the final phases of completion of a long-fought over flood control project for the town that has seen severe storm damage over the years,

"When I arrived on scene Bound Brook was the butt of all jokes," Pilato said. "But now not only do we have this new development to be completed by April, but two others within striking distance. A lot of things are going in the right direction."